News
Middlesex United Way & Middlesex County NAACP Announce Publication of Veterans Recognition Booklet
MIDDLETOWN, CT- Middlesex United Way and the Middlesex County NAACP Branch (CT Unit 2018-B) are proud to announce the publication of Recognition and Resources: Black U.S. Armed Services Veterans of Middlesex County, a new booklet made possible through a Middlesex United Way grant. The project is a collaboration of the Middlesex County NAACP and American Legion Post 206, which was established in 2005 by three African American veterans to address issues of discrimination and mistreatment of Black
News Release: Joel Blum Achieves Circle of Success Recognition at Ameriprise Financial
News ReleaseJoel Blum Achieves Circle of Success Recognition at Ameriprise Financial Westbrook, CT – March 9, 2026 Joel E. Blum, CFP®, APMATM, CRPCTM a Private Wealth Advisor with North Cove Capital a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. in Westbrook, CT has qualified for the company’s Circle of Success annual recognition program and will be honored for this achievement in 2026. To earn this achievement, Blum established himself as one of the company’s top advisors.
Get a Jump on Your Garden and Support the Old Saybrook Garden Club
Get a Jump on Your Spring Garden and Support the Old Saybrook Garden Club Hanging baskets, perennials, annuals and herbs are all available to order now through April 1. Plants will be ready for pick up May 16 at the Old Saybrook Gardeners' Market at the Town Green. To place your pre-order, click here Proceeds help the club fund the clubs efforts to beautify Old Saybrook, which include the Main Street Median Gardens, the Constitutional Garden in front of Saybrook Home, the Blue Star Memorial, and the
Final Information Session Announced for Middlesex County Business Operating Grants
Attention all Middlesex County businesses! The Middlesex County Revitalization Commission has added one final information session on Tuesday, March 10th, at 1:00 p.m. for those who wish to apply for a Business Operating Grant of up to $25,000 this year.If you plan to apply but have not attended a live, online information session, this is the last one before the application closes on Sunday, March 15th. The session will review grant eligibility, application requirements, the application process, and
News Release: North Cove Capital Earns Ameriprise Client Experience Award
News ReleaseNorth Cove Capital EarnsAmeriprise Client Experience Award Westbrook, CT – March 6th, 2026 – North Cove Capital, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. in Westbrook, has earned the Ameriprise Client Experience Award for 2025. North Cove Capital was honored with this award because their ability to consistently deliver personalized, goal-based advice and exceptional client service. Award recipients earned an overall client satisfaction rating equal to or greater than
Old Saybrook Gardeners' Market
The Old Saybrook Annual Gardeners' Market May 16 9am - 3pm on the Town Green Open for Pre-orders now until April 1 for best selection!
How Small Businesses Can Streamline Marketing Assets for Faster, Better Campaigns
Small businesses across the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber community often juggle photos, logos, ad copy, videos, approvals, and campaign results across multiple tools. When assets scatter, teams slow down — and marketing performance inevitably follows. This guide explores how to bring order, clarity, and speed to your digital marketing workflows so campaigns launch faster and deliver better results. Learn below about: Why centralizing assets cuts production time How structure improves brand
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Picture Perfect & Purposeful Entrepreneur Retreat
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Women Entrepreneurs Invited to Attend Picture Perfect & Purposeful Entrepreneur Retreat in Southeastern CT New London, CT Women business owners from across the state are invited to attend the Picture Perfect & Purposeful Entrepreneur Retreat, a two-day, women-only experience taking place April 24–25, 2026, in New London, Connecticut. Designed for established entrepreneurs, the retreat focuses on helping women reconnect with their purpose, elevate their brand presence, and gain
Astra Studio Dance Company Earns Top Honors at Turn It Up Regionals
Astra Studio Dance Company Earns Top Honors at Turn It Up RegionalsSPRINGFIELD, MA (Feb. 6–8, 2026) — The Astra Studio Dance Company of Old Saybrook delivered an impressive weekend of performances at the Turn It Up Dance Challenge – Springfield Regionals, earning multiple Platinum and High Platinum adjudications, overall placements, Judges Awards, and a prestigious studio-wide honor.http://www.AstraStudioCT.com Astra Studio was presented with the “Class Act Award.” The honor recognizes the studio whose
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Middlesex United Way Opens 2026–2027 Community Impact Grant Cycle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MIDDLETOWN, CT — Middlesex United Way has officially launched its 2026–2027 Community Impact Grant Cycle and is now accepting applications from nonprofit organizations providing programs and services that support residents of Middlesex County. Grant awards will range from $5,000 to $30,000 and are intended to support initiatives that align with Middlesex United Way’s Community Impact Areas: Youth OpportunityHealthy CommunitiesFinancial SecurityCommunity Resiliency Grant funds may
Adventure Awaits: Shoreline Happy Paws to Launch Southeastern Connecticut’s First Doggie Adventure Bus in December 2025
Old Saybrook, CT — [NOV 7, 2025] — Shoreline Happy Paws LLC, the Shoreline and River Valley’s trusted Dog Walking, Dog Hiking, and Pet Sitting company, is excited to announce the upcoming launch of the Doggie Adventure Bus on December 1, 2025. The new service will offer dogs safe and structured Full Day Adventures featuring trail hikes, beach play, river splashes, and scenic town strolls. Adventures will take place throughout their service area: Old Saybrook, Essex, Westbrook, Deep River, Chester,
Business Basics 101: Key Terms Every New Entrepreneur Should Know
Starting a business can feel like learning a new language. Terms like equity, liability, and ROI swirl around in meetings and contracts, but what do they actually mean? This guide decodes the essentials — the “need-to-know” vocabulary that every new entrepreneur should master to communicate confidently with investors, customers, and partners. TL;DR Think of this as your business-language survival kit: Learn what core terms mean (like profit margin and cash flow). Apply them when talking with
Top Mistakes New Small Business Owners Make (and Smart Ways to Avoid Them)
Starting a business is an exciting leap — but also one full of potential pitfalls. Many new owners underestimate how much planning, patience, and persistence are required to build a company that lasts. By learning from common mistakes others have made, you can avoid setbacks and position your venture for long-term success. Mistake #1: Skipping a Real Business Plan Too many entrepreneurs dive in with enthusiasm but without a roadmap. A business plan doesn’t need to be 100 pages long, but it should
How Small Brands Can Ride the Waves of the Seasons
Seasons come and go, but for small businesses, they can bring more than just weather changes—they bring opportunity. From back-to-school madness to spring cleaning surges and the holiday buying blitz, there are built-in rhythms that drive consumer behavior whether anyone’s ready or not. The challenge isn’t just recognizing the waves, it’s knowing how to ride them with style, tact, and intention. Seasonal promotions, done right, don’t just sell more stuff—they deepen loyalty, create momentum, and allow
Better Tools, Better Time: How Entrepreneurs Are Reclaiming Their Hours
Time isn't just money—it's leverage, sanity, and survival. For small business owners balancing invoices, customer engagement, project deadlines, and maybe even school pickups, the hours vanish fast. That's why the best founders aren’t just hardworking—they’re discerning about how they work and which tools do the heavy lifting behind the scenes. Not all apps deserve a home on the home screen, but some stand out not just for their features, but for the way they return time to the people building things from
Igniting Business Growth Through Data Insights
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, data has emerged as an invaluable asset with the potential to drive meaningful growth. Businesses that strategically transform raw data into actionable insights can secure a significant advantage, positioning themselves ahead of competitors. Effective data utilization not only uncovers key trends but also enhances the ability to make informed, agile decisions. The modern enterprise thrives on this continual optimization of business intelligence, where staying
Elevate Your Hustle: Adobe Tools to Empower Women Entrepreneurs
This Women’s Small Business Month, we’re celebrating the tools that are fueling the success of women entrepreneurs everywhere. Running a business requires balancing countless responsibilities, and Adobe Acrobat is here to help streamline the journey. From simplifying document workflows to enhancing team communication, Acrobat is designed to help entrepreneurs work smarter, not harder. These intuitive tools make day-to-day tasks seamless, allowing business owners to dedicate their time to what truly
Thriving Together: Proven Tactics for Small Business Partnerships
In the fast-paced world of small businesses, effective collaboration isn’t just beneficial—it’s essential for survival and growth. From leveraging digital platforms to maintaining a unified vision, the following strategies will not only bolster transparency and trust but also drive innovation and productivity. Read on to learn how to elevate your small business partnerships to new heights.Clear Channels Ignite Collaboration Brilliance Establishing clear and open communication channels is crucial for
